Wasn't there a time when the Nets struggled in the 2nd half of games? 60-33. Not bad, not bad at all.
I was disappointed Baron Davis didn't play tonight. Yes, the Nets D was tight, but the Hornets are one uncoordinated team without their starting backcourt. This isn't the same team that beat the Nets. Since when did Darrell Armstrong become such a bad passer? He looked like Robert Pack with a jump shot. I'll credit RJ for defending Mashburn, but Mashburn is still working himself into game shape. Brown had his moments. Magloire did work - he's about the only Hornet that came to play. I don't know what's happened to George Lynch - I'm used to him playing a bigger role.
Kudos to Rogers. There was nothing wrong with his game tonight, except maybe his board work - but that's a minor gig. He was sharp, especially his passing, and except for some soft help inside, his defense has been solid. When he's focused and gives the effort, he has the talent to get results. He made good decisions, which isn't always the case, either. If Lawrence Frank can inspire Rogers to focus on his job every night, I have to concede him the role. The next step in Frank's Rogers reclamation is consistency.
Unfortunately, the other side of the bench reclamation project isn't looking so good. Lu and the rookie combined for 0-6 in 20 minutes of uncomfortable looking play. For the 2nd straight game, Planinic played SO bad, Frank pulled him before he wanted to - and he didn't come back for garbage-time, which could be a sign. Kidd played 40 minutes in a blow-out - not good. If there's one faction that's responsible for the poor bench production this season, it's the guards.
Davis looked frisky handling the ball in garbage-time. I still would like to see what his 3 point shot looks like - Veal tried his best to serve him up, but didn't quite get there. I don't know how much longer Frank will stick with Planinic before Davis gets his shot to work in meaningful game action. I would expect that to happen on Wednesday.
Williams is back. Solid 23 minutes with an A-Train type game. He only has so many moves, just enough to last him around 20 minutes. They worked tonight. Twin had a letdown after his defensive gem on Yao, but that's why we have the A-Train.
Solid game by the rest of the starting crew, and the 3rd quarter run was fun to watch. I almost felt sorry for the Hornets while the Nets were steamrolling them, but I don't feel sorry for teams that give up - and the Hornets gave up. Good rest all around, except for Kidd. Kittles was aggressive again, showing off for the home folks. He was probably over-eager in the 1st half; he missed a bunch of shots in the paint, which is not his comfort area in the half-court.
As for Veal, 7 minutes of pretty much standard fare. Made a lay-up off a cut over a defender, which Twin and Rogers can tell you is not as easy as it looks. On defense, Veal doesn't look like the same aggressive, instinctive help defender he was earlier in the season. He's still a solid defender, but tends to hesitate before leaving his man, which results in late rotations.
The Lawrence Frank train keeps chugging along. He's added more excitement to following this team than even a trade for an elite player would have done.
The Wednesday game will be a juicy revenge match against the hot Heat, this time at home. I'm sure Thorn will be fired up to beat the team that compelled him to fire Scott.
